Enhanced Negative Constraint Calculation for Event Driven Simulations

1. An apparatus storing a computer program for applying an algorithm in an event driven simulation, comprising: means for grouping constraints based on associated output logic signals in a logic circuit; means for finding a negative setup constraint having a largest negative setup constraint value in each grouped constraint; and means for delaying a reference signal of each grouped constraint associated with the found largest negative setup constraint value.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: means for delaying a test signal as a function of the negative setup constraint having the largest negative constraint value and a hold constraint when the hold constraint associated with the test signal is negative.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising: means for adjusting path delays between input logic signals and the output logic signals; means for checking adjusted path delays for negative setup constraints; and means for zeroing the path delays having the negative setup constraints.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising: means for adjusting constraint windows based on the negative setup constraint having the largest negative setup constraint value.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising: means for adjusting constraint window based on the hold constraint associated with the test signal.